Danish idioms, a thread.

When I moved to Denmark, I didn't expect much difficulties in the language. Norwegian and Danish are mutually intelligible, although it might require some training if you aren't used to hearing the other language spoken. I got surprised by idioms.

1/?

In the following tweets, I'll give a direct translation of some idioms, their original Danish wording, and their meaning. Some times the meaning varies, and I might have misunderstood some idioms, so if you're a native Danish speaker, feel free to give a comment.

2/?

Just pet the horse (klap lige hesten): Used in order to urge someone to take it easy or calm down.

Now that goat has been shaved (så er den ged barberet): Mission accomplished, problem solved or having decided upon something.

3/?

Going out and punching at Severinus (ud og slå til Søren): Having excessive fun, i.e. getting drunk or spending too much money.

Painting the devil on the wall (male fanden på væggen): Expecting the worst case scenario.

4/?

There's no cow on the ice (der er ingen ko på isen): There's no problem.

Having shot the parrot (at have skudt papegøjen): Having gotten very lucky, i.e. gotten a great partner.

5/?

Not sticking up for bun-milk (at ikke stikke op for bollemælk): Not doing a job because the suggested payment is too low.

Doing someone a bear favour (at gøre nogen en bjørnetjeneste): By doing someone a favour, you're actually making their situation worse. 

6/?

Putting flies in someones headhead (at sætte nogen fluer i hovedet): Giving someone false hope or believing the impossible. 

Pulling cod to the shore (at hale torsk i land): Snoring.

Not able to put your arms down (at ikke kunne få armerne ned): Being very happy or excited

7/?

Knowing one's lice in the hallway (at kende sine lus på gangen): Knowing who you're dealing with. 

Driving with the blob (at køre med klatten): Things are going well, or you have success.

Now the ten-pence fell (så faldt tiøren): Finally understanding something.

8/?

Now the warm water has been shut off (så er det lukket for det varme vand): Uttered by someone who is fed up and don't want to give any more help, or refusing to let the situation go on. 

9/?

They gave a song from the warm countries (de gav en sang fra de varme lande): Giving empty promises or evasive answers.

Shooting a white stick after something (skyde en hvid pind efter noget): Giving something up.

10/(to be continued whenever I remember another one)

To speak for your mother's sick sister (at tale for sin syge moster): I'm not sure I understand this one correctly, but it seems to be used when someone is trying hard to argue for their own interests (maybe with irrelevant digressions), without achieving it.

11/